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Memorial scholarship awarded
The first-ever presentation of the Philip L. Williams Scholarship Award was last Friday at the Merrick American Legion Post 1282.
Mr. Williams was the commander of Post 1282 when he died suddenly in November. Phil was known for being a hard worker, for his patriotism, his sense of community and his dedication to his family. It was the goal of this scholarship, established by the Williams family, to find a graduating high school senior who exemplified these characteristics.
The evening, organized by the Legion members and the Ladies Auxiliary of the post, was an emotional one. With Phil’s memory alive and well in the post, it was said that this event was a great tribute to a greate than great man. Wife Sharon Williams, daughter Debra and son Kevin talked all about Phil to a packed crowd of friends, family and legion
members. Sharon spoke of her husband and how he lived his life, and the search for a honoree who would make her husband proud: a candidate that would impress him.
The scholarship committee was thrilled to find a student with the strong morals, the work ethic and the leadership skills that Phil personified – Matthew Callman of Calhoun was the inaugural recipient of this award.
Matthew was diagnosed with asthma at the age of two, and something that can be devastating and limiting to a person’s life was approached as a challenge to overcome. Something he certainly did. He is a track star, which he will continue at Molloy College in the fall. He was recently awarded the 12-season sports award by the Calhoun Sports Boosters and the Runner’s Edge named him their youth triathlete. Running is not usually a course of therapy for asthmatics, but for Matthew it became a passion. his doctors continue to marvel at what he has accomplished in his athletic life.
Joe Ambrosino, who served as master of ceremonies for the program, spoke about his close friendship with Phil: “He was a great guy,” Joe said, “[We were] standing in the shadow of a great man, and often you don’t realize it till they are gone.”
Legislator David Denenberg said that Phil was the best of the best, like the men and women who work to protect this country and community. Stating that the memorial scholarship was appropriate, “Phil would want his legacy to go back to the community,” Mr.Denenberg said.
Prior to winning the Williams Scholarship, Matthew received the American Legion Award which goes to a student for outstanding Americanism.
Matthew, a member of Troop 214, earned his Eagle Scout award after completing a project that focused on emergency preparedness and fire prevention. He collected, organized and distributed information at a booth during the two-day Merrick Street Fair. In addition, he prepared an instructional compact disc on fire prevention and used it to teach Cub Scouts about fire safety. The CD was made available to Cub Scout packs throughout Nassau County.
Recently, Senator Charles Fuschillo Jr. and state Assemblyman Dave McDonough also presented Matthew with a copy of a legislative resolution that was passed in honor of his accomplishment.
In an unprepared speech, Matthew thanked the Williams family, the Legion and his mom Debbie, who sat in the audience with his sister Emily. he said he was honored to follow in Phil’s footsteps. He will attend Molloy College in the fall as a biology education and special education major, and he will be running cross country as well.
